Centrifugal cream-separator.



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G. M. KETCHAM.

GENTRIPUGAL CREAM SEPARATOR. APPLIUATION FILED JULY 12, 1906.

Patented July 18, 1911.

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GDLUIAIIA PLANOGHAPN oo. wnsmmllnll. D. 2.

C. M. KB'I'CHAM.

GENTRIPUGAL GREAM SBIARATOR.

APPLIUATIDN FILED JULY 12,1906.

998,529. Patented July 1s, 1911` JNI/ENTo/e Ailomey count. PLANonRAPItco.. WMIIINIINN, D. c.

CASSIUS M. KETCHAM, OF CARTHAGE, MISSOURI.

CENTRIFUGAL CREAMSEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1911.

Application filed July 12, 1906. Serial No. 325,876.

To all whom 'tt may concern.'

Be it known that I, CassiUs M. KETCHAM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Carthage, in the county of Jasper and State of Missouri,have invented a new and useful Improvement in CentrifugalCream-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cream separators and particularly to that classof apparatus known as centrifugal separators.

It has for its object to produce an improved machine of this character.

ln the accompai'iying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section of amachine embodying the principles of my invention taken on the line 1 1of Fig. 2, the position assumed by the parts when the machine is inmotion being represented in full lines. Fig. 2 is a top plan viewthereof. Fig. 3 is a view of the interior of the cap. Figs. 4 and 5 aredetail views of the cream discharge passage. Fig. G is a verticalsectional view of a different form of my invention taken on the line 6 6of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a top plan View of the form of the apparatus shownin Fig. G. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the connection betweenreservoir and separator. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the connection between the milk reservoir and separator in the form of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Fig.7.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the main shaft, which ispreferably arranged vertically and is adapted to be driven at a highspeed by any suitable mechanism. The mechanism shown consists of a gearwheel B0 driven by a crank 30. The gear .wheel 30 is adapted to meshwith a pinion 81 mounted on a shaft 31', to which latter is secured agear wheel 32, which in turn meshes with the spiral or worm pinion 33 onthe main shaft A.

I do not wish to be limited to the mechanism I have just described, andWhich is illustrated in the drawings, although that shown is welladapted for the purposes of my invention.

Upon the upper art or end of the shaft A there is mounte a revolvingframe that is constructed to support and carry the reccptacles intoWhich the milk is delivered for separation by centrifugal actiondeveloped by the rapid rotation of the apparatus. The frame shown isarranged to support four cups or separating vessels. It might,hoWevcr,be arranged to support three, or two, or even one. The latter,while practically embodying my invention, would not be as desirable anarrangement, and rovision would have to be made to counterlialance themilk vessel in o'rder to insure steady working of the apparatus. Theframe shown in Figs. 1 Vand 2 is adapted to support a series ofremovable separating vessels that are adapted when the machine is atrest to stand in a vertical position as indicated in dotted lines inFig. l, but under the action of centrifugal force to be thrown out intosubstantially horizontal position when the machine is in operation.lVhen thus thrown out into working position the vessels are radiallydisposed to the axis of rotation of the revolving frame. The frameconsists of a central spider-like part 2 adapted to be set upon orcoupled to the end of the shaft A. This spiderframe is provided witharms 3, in each pair of which.. is mounted a supporting ring 4, the rinbeing free to turn upon its pivots 5.

B in icates as a whole one of the removable cups or vessels in which theseparation of the cream from the milk takes place. It is preferablyformed of pressed or drawn metal., such as steel, copper or brass, andis provided with an external flange or shoulder 6, adapted to sit uponthe ring 4. In order to lessen the resistance of the air as the vesselrevolves, I preferably flatten the body thereof, horizontally, asindicated in Figs. 7 and l0. This is not essential, though desirable,and at B I have indicated a vessel cylindrical in cross-section and nothaving a flattened end.

The inner end of each cup or vessel B is preferably open. This makes avessel of one piece, and hence without joints, that can be freelyopened, thus rendering its cleansing easy, an advantage that will atonce be apparent to those using apparatus of this character, and to thepublic in general.

The open end of the vessel is closed by a cap or closure which I havedesignated as a whole by the letter C. It fits tightl over a flange 7 atthe end of the cu' and the rim or shoulder formed y the inner edge ofthe flange 6. A packing ring or gasket 8 may be placed between the edgeof the cap and the rim to prevent leakage. It will be apparent thatvvhenthe apparatus is in operatlon the centrifugal force incident to therapid rotation of the moving parts will tend to close the cap upon theend ol' the vessel so tightly as to prevent the possibility of anyleakage. This makes an ex ceedingly efficient, as Well as simple, methodfor closing the cup liquid-tight during operation. As soon as theapparatus comes to rest the cups can be easily removed, there heilig nolocking means for holding them in place.

The milk to be separated is fed from a suitable reservoir or tank, suchas indicated at D, to a Well or conduit 9 formed in the revolving frame.This is preferably located at the center of the frame, and from it eachof the vessels B receives its supply. The fluid connection or conduitbetween this Well 9 and the vessel B is of such character that it isestablished when thevessel is brought into Working position, and isbroken when the vessel is removed from the apparatus or assumes anupright position. One part of this connection is preferably carried bythe cap portion C of the separating vessel and consists of a tube 10,provided with a flaring or funnel-shaped end 11 arranged outside the endof the cap. This Haring end of the tube comes opposite to an aperture 11through the Wall of the milk receptacle or Well 9, when the receptacleis in place and in working position, so that there is a free conduitfrom the Well to the vessel comprising the aperture 11', thefunnel-shaped end 11 of the tube and the main body portion 10 thereofextending through the cap and opening at a suitable point,-preferablynear the inner end-into the cup or vessel B. An elastic packing might bearranged about the aperture 11 against which the end 11 of the tube maybear, as indicated at 12, see Fig. 9. The end of that portion of theconduit through which the milk passes in traveling from the Well 9 intothe separating vessel which is in the revolving frame, is so disposedthat it is entirely to one side of the path of any part of theseparating vessel as it swings from a vertical to a horizontal position,or vice versa, so that it can in no Way interfere with the freemovements of the vessel, While at the same time its position is suchthat the conduit is automatically completed as the separating vesselassumes its horizontal position, and is automatically broken as itswings therefrom toward its vertical position.

The delivery means for the milk, that is the means through Which thecream and the skimmed milk, respectively, pass out of the cup or vesselB are carried by the cap C. I prefer that the means forr delivering theskimmed milk should consist of a comparatively long tube 13 secured tothe cap and extending into the cup. It is of length suliicient to bringits outer open end nearly to the outer end of the cup, as indicated inFigs. 1 and 6. The other end of the tube is ope'n and carried throughthe wall of the cap, indicated at 14, where it is arranged to deliverinto the skilnmed milk pan 15. The cream, which collects at the innerend of the separator, that is at the end over which the cap C fits,passes out through a slot or passage 17 formed in the wall of the cap.This discharge passage is provided with a shield 18 arranged to directthe cream into the pan 19 Where it is collected. The outlet throughwhich the cream is delivered may be provided with any suitable means foradjusting its size or position. I have represented a screw-adjustingdevice for this purpose at 20, preferably arranged on the inside of thecap C.

lVith this description of the apparatus, its i method of operation maybe stated. lVhen the parts are at rest the several vessels B standvertically, but as soon as the frame is rapidly rotated, centrifugalforce causes them to fly outward until they assume substantiallyhorizontal positions. Two results follow this change in the position ofthe vessels B. In the first place the connections between the vesselsand the milk well 9 are established, and in the second place the cupsare sealed, the caps being held liquid-tight against the body of theseparators. The parts having assumed their working positions the milk isfed into the well 9 and passes therefrom into the several separatorswhich upon becoming full, discharge their contents, the cream passinginto the pan 19 and the skimmed milk into the pan 15. It will beunderstood that the rapidity with which the milk flows from thereceptacles depends entirely upon the feed to the supply Well 9, andthat the thoroughness of separa tion depends upon the length of timeconsumed in passing a body of milk sufiicient to fill a separator orvessel B through the same. When the ap aratus is to he brought to restthe supply o milk is stopped, and then the moving parts are graduallyslowed down until they iinally stop, when the several cups Will assumean upright position. They will be filled, but can be easily removed andemptied and cleansed.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a form of apparatus in which theseparators do not swing. They are separable, but when in place at onceassume a substantially horizontal position. In this form of my inventionI prefer that the arms 3 of the revolving frame should be provided withhooks 21 adapted to engage With arms 21 extending outward from the sidesof the separators. Vhen a cup is put in place the liquid connectionbetween the Well 9 and the interior of the separator B is established.It will be understood that when an apparatus of this character comes torest, after having been used, the milk will drain from the separatorsinto the pans, and they Will he substa ntially empty when removed fromtheir supporting frame. In this form of the invention, in order toincrease the capacity ot the separating vessel, I prefer to Widen it atits outer end, as shown at B, Fig. 7. B v flattening the vesselvertically and widening it horizontally the capacity thereof is notdecreased, as compared with a vessel cylindrical throughout its entirelength. In most respects this form of my apparatus is similar to thatshown in Figs. l aud 2, and further description is deemed unnecessary.

that I claim is:

1. In a cream separator, the combination of a frame, means for rotatingit at a high speed, a separating vessel mounted in the frame and free toswing into a substantially horizontal position when the frame is rapidlyrotated, and a conduit for conveying a fluid from a source of supply tothe separatingr vessel comprising portions carried respectively by therotating frame and the separating vessel and arranged to beautomatically brought together to form a liquidtight connection as thevessel assumes a horizontal position under the action of centrifugalforce and to automatically separate as the vessel falls from suchsubstantially horizontal position, the end of that part of the conduitwhich is carried by the frame being entirely out of the path of any partof the vessel as it swings toward or away from its substantiallyhorizontal position.

2. In a cream separator, the combination of a rotating frame, aseparating receptacle therein carrying a closure, a liquid conduit, andsubstantially liquid tight connections between the conduit andreceptacle extending through the said closure.

3. In a cream separator, the combination of a rotating frame, a swingingreceptacle mounted therein and arranged to assume an outwardly extendedposition under the action of centrifugal force, a closure for thereceptacle, a liquid conduit, and substantially liquid tight connectionsbetween the receptacle and the conduit arranged to automaticallyregister as the receptacle swings into its outwardly extended position.

4. -In a centrifugal Creamer, the combination of a revolving frame, aseparating receptacle mounted therein and extending outward from thecenter of rotation, a conduit carried by the frame for receiving themilk, a closure for the receptacle, and a connection between thereceiving conduit and the receptacle carried by the closure and arrangedto serve as a liquid-tight conduit between the two when the receptacleis-,in working position.

5. In a centrifugal Creamer, the combination of a revolving frame, areceptacle mounted therein and extending outward from the center, aconduit carried by the frame of the machine for receiving the milk,

a connection between the said conduit and the receptacle, and twodischarge passagesl arranged near one end ot' the receptacle, one forthe cream and the other for the skimmed milk.

t3. In a centrifugal creamer, the combination of a rotary frame, areceptacle mounted therein and arranged to normally hang in asubstantially vertical position and when the frame is in rotation toswing into a horizontal position, a milk conduit carried by the frame,connections between the conduit and the receptacle arranged to beautomatically brought together when the cup comes into horizontalposition and to automatically separate when the l'rame comes to rest andseparate discharge passages for carrying oli' the skimmed milk and creamrespectively.

7. In a centrifugal creamcr, the combination of a rotating frame, aswinging receptacle mounted therein and arrangcdto stand outward fromthe center of rotation when the frame is revolved, having the body partthereof flattened horizontally, means for delivering milk to thereceptacle, and means for conveying therefrom the cream and the skimmedmilk.

8. In a centrifugal liquid separator, the combination of a frame andmeans for rotating said frame, a series of receptacles arrangedconcentrically about said frame, a reservoir carried by the frame,connections between the reservoir and each of the said cups for feedingthe liquid thereto, and two discharge passages for each receptacle forcarrying respectively the skimmed milk and cream.

9. In a centrifugal liquid separator, the combination of a trame andmeans for rotating said frame, a series of independent liquid separatingreceptacles arranged concentrically about said frame, a reservoircarried by the frame, connections between the reservoir and each of thesaid receptacles for feeding the liquid thereto, and two dischargingpassages for each receptacle for carrying respectively the skimmed milkand cream.

10. In a centrifugal liquid separator, the combination of a rotatableframe, a pair of arms secured thereto, a removable vessel swingablymounted between the said arms, arranged to occupy a vertical positionwhen the frame is at rest but to swing into a substantially horizontalposition when the frame is rotated, the outer portions of the saidvessel being flattened in cross-section, a reservoir mounted in theframe for receiving milk, connections between the said reservoir and thevessel arranged to register with each other when the said vessel isswung into a substantially horizontal position, and independentdischarge passages for the separated parts of the milk.

1l. In a centrifugal cream separator, the combination of a revolvingframe, a pair of arms connected thereto, a removable vessel mounted insaid arms, a reservoir for the milk mounted in the frame, connectionslbetween the reservoir and said vessel for supplying the latter withmilk, a cap for closing the end of said vessel, independent dischargepassages for the separated parts of the milk, located in said cap, and atube leading from the outer end of the vessel to one of the dischargepassages in the cap.

12. In a centrifugal liquid separator, the combination of a frame andmeans for rotatin said frame, a pair of arms secured to said frame, aring pivotally mounted therein, a separator vessel mounted in said ring,a reservoir mounted in the frame, connections between the reservoir andvessel for feeding the milk thereto, and discharge passages for theseparated parts of the milk.

13. In a centrifugal milk separator, the combination of a revolubleframe, a vessel for containing milk extending outward therefrom, a capfor closin said vessel, a supply reservoir for the mllk mounted in therevoluble frame, connections carried by the cap for conveying the milkfrom the reservoir to the vessel, and two discharge passages for theseparated parts of the milk also mounted in the said ca 14. In acentrifugal milkJ separator, the combination of a rotating frame, avessel mounted therein and extending outward therefrom, a reservoir forthe milk mounted in the frame, connections between the reser voir andthe vessel for feeding the milk thereto,l a discharge passage for thecream located in one end of the vessel, a discharge passage for theskimmed milk located in close proximity to the discharge passage for thecream, and a tube extending from the discharge passage for the skimmedmilk nearly to the opposite end of the said vessel for conveying theskimmed milk thereto.

15. In a centrifugal milk separator, the combination of a rotatingframe, a pair of arms secured thereto, a ring pivotally mounted betweenthe said arms, a vessel provided with a shoulder arranged to rest on thesaid ring, the said vessel arranged to stand in a vertical position whenthe machine is at rest, but to swing into a substantially horizontalposit-ion when the frame is rotated, the vessel being flattened incrosssection, a milk reservoir mounted in the frame, connections betweenthe reservoir and the vessel arranged to register with each other whenthe said vessel is thrown into a substantially horizontal position, adischarge passage located in one end of said vessel for discharging theskimmed milk, a tube leading from the opposite end of the vessel forconveying the skimmed milk thereto, and a discharge passage for thecream.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

eitssIUs M. KETCHAM. iVitnesses E. B. RATCLIFFE, Gao. B. PnTs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C."

